UCLA's Franklin takes career rushing lead

Nov. 3, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin runs away from Arizona's Reggie Gilbert on a 37-yard touchdown run, in which he became the Bruins' all time rushing leader in the first quarter on Saturday. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin runs away from Arizona's Reggie Gilbert on a 37-yard touchdown run, in which he became the Bruins' all time rushing leader in the first quarter on Saturday. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

PASADENA – Perhaps the most impressive thing about UCLA tailback Johnathan Franklin becoming the Bruins' all-time leading rusher Saturday night is that he did it without the help of an NFL draft choice caliber offensive lineman.

Franklin began the night needing 21 yards to surpass Gaston Green (3,731 yards) atop UCLA's career rushing list. It took Franklin just three carries to break the mark, racing past Green and the Arizona defense for a 37-yard touchdown run and the opening score of the No. 25 Bruins' 59-10 victory at the Rose Bowl.

Franklin finished the night with 162 yards on 22 carries with a pair of touchdowns. With at least four games remaining on UCLA's schedule Franklin has 3,873 yards and the opportunity to finish among the top five career rushers in a conference that has produced five Heisman Trophy-winning running backs.

Franklin should become the eighth running back in Pac-12 history to crack the 4,000-yard barrier and is within reach of Stanford's Darrin Nelson (4,169 yards, 1977-81), currently No. 5 on the conference list.

Franklin has overtaken Green and climbed up the conference list without the aide of a single offensive lineman drafted by an NFL team. UCLA hasn't had an offensive lineman go in the draft since Outland Trophy winner Kris Farris was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 1999 draft. Former Bruin offensive lineman Mike Harris was signed by San Diego as a rookie free agent over the summer.

RETURN INVESTMENT

UCLA's punt return game was a question mark going into Saturday's game with the demotion of punt returner Steven Manfro.

Manfro was relieved of his duties after muffing punts in three consecutive games.

Bruin wide receiver Shaquelle Evans started the night in the return slot but did not have a return. Evans was later replaced by Randall Goforth, a freshman from Long Beach Poly. Goforth picked up 36 yards on the Bruins' first return of the night.

NOTES

After a nearly 10 minute delay in the game Arizona linebacker Hank Hobson was strapped to a stretcher and taken off the field on an ambulance cart with 12:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. The extent of Hobson's injury was not immediately known...Receiver Darius Bell saw action for the first time since suffering a rib injury against Colorado on Sept. 29...With three games left in his debut season at Arizona, Wildcat coach Rich Rodriguez is still in search of his first road win...UCLA's victory snapped a five-game losing streak against Arizona.

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